Adjusting for ht

02-13-2012, 01:10 PM

Hey everyone,

I am currently demo-ing a 6'0" spitfire- it works great for me. I'm 185lbs and 6'1". Also looking a 6'0" Hellfire but wondering if 600 HF would be too short for me? How should height be factored in to choosing a board?

Right now i'm riding a 6"4" Rusty Piranha. I'm intermediate and just starting to link turns and complete more powerful roundhouses (still burying a rail about 20% of the time ).

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Height wise, when choosing a traditional shortboard, the 'rule' was usually 2-3" above your height. These days with boards becoming shorter and wider it's a whole different ball game and you can ride boards far below your height but it depends on the waves you are surfing and the way you want to surf. A longer board would typically hold a longer line which is an advantage in bigger and more powerful surf with open walls where you want to draw out a big carve off the top or bottom, but in smaller more pockety surf I like being on a really short board so I can keep my turns tighter to the pocket.
For someone at 6'1" a board like the Hellfire 6'0" would not be a problem length wise and at your weight the volume sounds good to me, but as Chris said, the type of waves you're riding really affects which board and length would be optimum.

On another note Chris, this thread didn't show up in my new thread list until you responded to it... Not sure why that is.

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Yeah, when things were tweaked somehow mine and Iggy's posting permissions were changed and we couldn't post anything, send any PMs or anything like that. Justin's on the ball though. A quick email and all was well again!

Yes, Montreal and when there are bumps on the horizon we migrate to Ogunquit,Rye,or The Wall.Started surfing in Venezuela around 20 years ago,been here and there when money and time permits
What about the Spitfire you are riding now? how are you liking it?

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No worries. If that's so then the Hellfire would probably be ideal. If the volume is right in the 6'0" Spit then the 6'2" Hellfire would be the way to go. If it's too much then go the 6'0" HF. good luck.